More of Americas Pets Are Overdosing on Stray Coke, Meth [Video]

Key Takeaways

The dangers of cocaine or methamphetamine overdose by humans can extend to their petsBetween 2019 and 2023, hundreds of U.S. cats and dogs were sickened, sometimes fatally, after consuming cocaine or meth left out by humansSafeguarding pets from these exposures should be a priority

MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of beloved pet dogs and cats were reported as being unintentionally poisoned by cocaine and methamphetamine left out in their owners’ homes, new data from one U.S. pet poison control hotline shows.

When a dog or cat consumes cocaine or meth, it can quickly prove fatal, warned a team led by Orrin Ware, an assistant professor of social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Any degree of exposure should be considered concerning, as there is a high risk of toxicity and death, even with aggressive medical therapy,” Ware and colleagues wrote in their new study.

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